Amnesty International has condemned the Iranian government for implementing an internet and telecommunications blackout, which coincided with extensive protests across the nation. This blackout has been identified by online monitoring groups as a strategy to suppress dissent and obscure reports of state violence against demonstrators. The organization emphasizes that the Iranian authorities are deliberately hiding severe violations of human rights and international law.
Rebecca White, a researcher at Amnesty International’s Security Lab, noted that the government has a history of using internet shutdowns during significant uprisings. She referenced the November 2019 protests, during which security forces killed hundreds of protesters and bystanders while internet access was severely restricted. The events of the 2022 “Woman Life Freedom” uprising also saw similar tactics employed by the state.
Calls for Immediate Restoration of Internet Access
White urged the Iranian government to restore full internet access without delay. She stated, “The right to protest extends to digital spaces. Blanket or total internet cuts are inherently disproportionate under international human rights law, and must never be imposed, even in cases of emergency.”
The economic implications of these internet shutdowns are also significant. According to Sharareh Abdolhoseinzadeh, a political researcher based in Tehran, businesses have incurred daily losses ranging from 500 million to 5 billion Rial since the disruptions began during the 2022 protests. In total, three months of internet outages have resulted in losses equating to 43% of Iran’s annual oil revenue, estimated at $25 billion.
Government Response to Protests
As protests enter their second week, Human Rights Watch reported that Iranian security forces have resorted to lethal measures to quell the unrest. Eyewitness accounts indicate the use of military-grade weapons, metal pellets, and tear gas against largely unarmed citizens. Reports indicate that at least 27 protesters and bystanders, including children, have been killed, with hundreds more injured.
Despite the rising casualties and economic impact, the Iranian government has intensified its crackdown on dissent. Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, Chief Justice of Iran, has declared that there will be no leniency for the protesters, whom he labeled as “enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” This rhetoric reflects the government’s determination to maintain control in the face of growing public discontent.
The ongoing situation in Iran highlights the intersection of human rights, digital freedom, and state power, raising urgent questions about the implications of government actions on both individual liberties and the economy. As the protests continue, the demand for transparency and accountability remains paramount.
